Women’s softball wins wearing pink, helps strike out breast cancer

Although the softball team’s regular season starts in the spring, the ladies took on a big opponent this fall. Since October is cancer awareness month, the Cru hosted the “Strike Out Breast Cancer” event during their doubleheader on the Oct. 17 against Our Lady of the Lake.

The team took donations from the crowd for every strike out in the odd-numbered innings and appeared in pink T-shirts designed by the players. These were also available for sale during the game for $10 and $11.50 depending on the size. All of the proceeds went to the Cancer Research Center at Scott and White in Temple.

The ceremonial first pitches were thrown by women’s head golf coach Darla Kirby, and by Donna Shipp, the wife of Vice President of Athletics Ben Shipp. Both of women are cancer survivors.

The softball women before the start of the game. The Lady Cru split a double header against Lady of the Lake University

Head coach Kasey Blomquist said, “We decided that since a lot of families
are experiencing this, we wanted to give back. It turned out great, and I feel like we got the community involved, as well as the girls.”

Off the field, the team split up and visited a few small businesses around town and asked for donations. When it was all said and done, the team raised $671.53.

Junior catcher Lindsey Gordon said, “I really enjoyed playing in the game this year. It was for a great cause, and I hope we get to keep doing it in the future.”

The first game went to 11 innings, but the Cru won 4-3. However, the Saints
came back to win the second game 6-2. These were the only competitions
of the semester, but they continue to condition and lift weights in preparation for the fast-approaching season.

Last year the team broke even with an overall record of 20-20. However,
they are looking to improve. Blomquist said “I am very pleased with the outcome of our fall season. I feel we are ahead of the game due to the maturity of the returners, and with the talent and experience of the newcomers.”

The first game is February 20 in Georgetown against the Pirates of Southwestern University. The following weekend the ladies will play their home opener against the Louisiana College wildcats.

Senior second basemen Erica Salazar said, “I’m pretty excited about this upcoming season. We have a bunch of newcomers, and we are clicking very well together. I also know for sure that this season is going to be a lot better than the last. We will be making it to the conference tournament.”

Joseph is a senior communication major from Humble, Texas, as well as the assistant sports editor. He took a year off from Cru soccer, but he is back with the team to play his final year. He is a big music lover who is always up for a good, live show.

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